Character Close Up

Killmonger

The man who would later be known as Erik Killmonger was born N’Jadaka in the hyper-advanced nation of Wakanda. Exiled from his birthplace due to his family’s ties with the invader Klaw, N’Jadaka blamed King T’Chaka for the misery his family endured. Taking the name Killmonger, he trained to be the perfect vessel of revenge against Black Panther.

in Iron Man Annual (1970) #5

Resurrected by the Mandarin, Killmonger teams with super-criminal Madam Slay to make an attempt at Wakanda’s throne! After kidnapping James Rhodes and seemingly killing T’Challa, the villains claim victory and Killmonger declares himself the new Black Panther and Wakandan regent!

in Black Panther (1998) #16

After years of fighting and manipulating, Killmonger faces T’Challa in ritual combat to determine who will rule Wakanda – and Killmonger wins! But when the time comes to ingest the Heart-Shaped Herb to gain the Black Panther’s powers, Erik realizes a fatal error too late! Read through #25 for this cross-continental arc guest-starring Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, the Avengers and more!

in Black Panther (1998) #60

During Kevin “Kasper” Cole’s tenure as the Black Panther, Killmonger approaches him with a deal: giving up the mantle of Black Panther in exchange for a synthetic version of the Heart-Shaped Herb developed by Killmonger. Officer Cole accepts, and uses his newfound powers to become the White Tiger!

in Black Panther (2005) #35

Following a coup in the nation of Nagana, Killmonger inserts himself as their new despot leader and proceeds to kidnap Black Panther’s sister, Shuri! T’Challa is left with little choice but to lead a Wakandan invasion of Nagana’s borders. Read through #38 for Black Panther’s final confrontation with Killmonger, a bitter, last-ditch fist brawl that features a saving grace from an Avenger!